Conveyor sorting system for packages

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for directing a parcel to a correct station from a conveyer. A parcel guide is actuated to move transversely across the conveyer adjacent the correct station.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for directing a parcel to a correct station from a powered conveyor which comprises: a first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel positioned adjacent a parcel stop means, said stop means being positioned adjacent an entrance to said conveyor,   a second step of identifying a presence of said parcel at said stop means,   moving said stop means to permit said parcel to enter said conveyor in response to said first and second steps of identifying,   moving said parcel along said conveyor to sensor means which sense a position of said parcel on said conveyor,   determining a correct position of said parcel on said conveyor in response to said sensor means,   and activating an activating means to move said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station in response to determining said correct position of said parcel.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel comprises generating an input from a keyboard. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel comprises scanning a code on said parcel. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein said first step of identifying an identification characteristic of a parcel comprises a voice activation means. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of parcels are caused to enter said conveyor seriatim and wherein a correct position of each parcel on said conveyor is determined. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 wherein said activating means is confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor during said activating step. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus for directing a parcel to a correct station from a conveyor which comprises: a powered conveyor   a stop means adjacent an entrance to said conveyor for stopping said parcel,   first identifying means for identifying presence of a parcel adjacent said stop means,   second identifying means for identifying an identification characteristic of said parcel,   means for moving said stop means in response to said first identifying means and said second identifying means to permit said parcel to enter said conveyor,   a plurality of stations configured to receive a parcel from said conveyor, sensor means for determining a correct position of said parcel on said conveyor,   and activating means for moving said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station in response to said sensor means determining said correct position of said parcel on said conveyor.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said activating means comprises a plate means mounted on activatable levers. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said plate includes a plate section extending from a mid-section of said plate away from a mid-section of said conveyer. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said levers are confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor when said levers are activated and when said levers are at rest. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said levers are confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor when said levers are activated and when said levers are at rest. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of any one of claims 7, 8, 9, 11, or 10 wherein said powered conveyor is a powered roller conveyor. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of any one of claims 7, 8, 9, 11 or 10 wherein said powered conveyor is a belt conveyor. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said activating means for moving said parcel across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor to said correct station is confined within a volume having one dimension comprising the width of said conveyor when said activating means is activated and when said activating means is inactive.